Avinash Yelandur
Avinash | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 December 1962 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | University of Mysore |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, professor |
| Spouse | |
Avinash Yelandur (born 22 December 1962) is an Indian actor who stars predominantly in South Indian language films, notably in the Kannada and Tamil film industries. He has been in the industry for two decades and has acted in over 2100 films. Known for his authentic portrayal of complex characters and versatility, Avinash is one of the most sought-after actors in the supporting category. He is one of the few actors to enjoy both critical and commercial success.
Early life
Avinash was born in the town of Yelandur in Mysore district (now in Chamarajanagar district), in the Mysore State (now Karnataka), to Indira and B. K. Narayana Rao, a lawyer. After completing his education at Mysore's Hardwicke High School, Avinash went on attend University of Mysore, where he obtained his master's degree in English literature.[1] Drawn to theatre and cinema from a young age, he had an active theater life at Mysore and later at Bangalore. During the time, he taught English at the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore, and later at the MES college in Bangalore.[2]
Career
Theatre
His first job after his M.Phil was that of an English lecturer in National Institute of Engineering, Mysore. He continued to teach at MES College Bangalore as one of the most popular lecturers of the college. However, soon his passion for theatre took him abroad to train in acting at Mermaid Theatre, London.[3] On returning home, he worked in Kannada theatre as part of the renowned B Jayashree's troupe "Spandana" and with the Shankar Nag as part of his "Sanketh" for many years.
Films
Films were a natural choice for Avinash after his debut in GV Iyer's "Madhvacharya" based on the life and times of the twelfth-century enlightened master as the protagonist Saint Madhva, a film that won several national and state awards. His debut in mainstream cinema however, was with Shivarajkumar's 'Samyuktha' which went in to become a hit with audiences, ushering him into the world of South Indian cinema. Since then, he has since acted in over 400 films in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and English in a career spanning nearly three decades. He has worked with over two hundred directors such as K.Balachander, Girish Kasaravalli, T. N. Seetharam, AR Murugadoss, Puri Jagannadh, P.Vasu, Vetri Maran, Suseedran, Yograj Bhat, Suri, Gautham Menon and T. S. Nagabharana.
Avinash's most memorable acting roles to date are in Girish Kasarvalli's National award-winning Dweepa where he played the protagonist opposite actress Soundarya, TS Nagabharana's National award-winning Chinnari Muththa, Chiguridha kanasu & Singarrevva, and TN Seetaram's National Award-winning Mathadana. P.Vasu's hit series Chandramukhi, Apta Mitra and Aptarakshaka were high points in his career and have fetched him several national, state smf popular awards. '5Ters', an experimental (computer graphics) children's film in Hindi gave him the opportunity of playing good and evil characters and he considers the film to be a high point of his career.
Apart from his diverse repertoire, he has had the privilege of playing major roles alongside doyens such as Rajkumar, Rajnikanth, Mammotty, Vishnuvardhan, stars such as Nagarjun, Venkatesh, Shivarajkumar, Vijay, Vikram, Ajith, and also contemporary stars like Puneeth Rajkumar, Yash, Surya, Karthi, Arya, Siddharth, Mahesh Babu and several of the younger stars of South Indian Cinema.
Personal life
Avinash married Malavika, who was his co-star in the soap opera Mayamruga, in 2001.[2] They have a son, Gaalav.
Awards and recognition
- Karnataka State Award for Best Supporting actor for Mathadana
- Filmfare award for Best Supporting actor for Aptharakshaka[4]
- Jury's special mention for Dweepa, Singarevva
- South Indian cinematographers association award for Best Supporting actor for Matadana
- Film Fans' Association award for Best Supporting Actor for Matadana, Dweepa
- SIFA award for Best Supporting Actor for Aptarakshaka
- Udaya TV award for excellence in cinema
- Suvarna TV award for Prithvi
- Aryabhata Award for Best Actor for TV series Shikari
- Rajyotsava Award of the Karnataka State Govt
- Kempegowda Award of the BBMP
Partial filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 27 Mavalli Circle | Kannada | Guest appearance | |
| 1987 | Madhvacharya | Kannada | ||
| 1988 | Samyuktha | Kannada | ||
| 1989 | Idu Saadhya | Kannada | ||
| 1989 | Tarka | Kannada | ||
| 1989 | Yuddha Kaanda | Kannada | ||
| 1990 | Ashwamedha | Kannada | ||
| 1992 | Mannina Doni | Kannada | ||
| 1992 | Sangya Balya | Kannada | ||
| 1993 | Chinnari Mutha | Kannada | ||
| 1994 | Nishkarsha | Kannada | ||
| 1994 | Lockup Death | Kannada | ||
| 1994 | Kiladigalu | Kannada | ||
| 1996 | Huliya | Kannada | ||
| 1997 | CBI Durga | Kannada | ||
| 1998 | Jungle Boy | English | ||
| 1999 | Om Namah Shivaya | Kannada | ||
| 1999 | Hrudaya Hrudaya | Kannada | ||
| 1999 | Nannaseya Hoove | Kannada | ||
| 1999 | Drona | Kannada | ||
| 2001 | Vishalakshammana Ganda | Kannada | ||
| 2001 | Mathadana | Kannada | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor | |
| 2001 | Kotigobba | Kannada | ||
| 2002 | Appu | Kannada | ||
| 2002 | Ninagagi | Kannada | ||
| 2002 | Dweepa | Kannada | ||
| 2003 | Singaravva | Kannada | ||
| 2003 | Chigurida Kanasu | Kannada | ||
| 2003 | Mani | Kannada | ||
| 2003 | Thirumalai | Tamil | ||
| 2003 | Raja Narasimha | Kannada | ||
| 2003 | Khushi | Kannada | ||
| 2004 | Apthamitra | Ramachandra Shastri | Kannada | |
| 2004 | Durgi | Kannada | ||
| 2004 | Kalasipalya | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Valmiki | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Sirichandana | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Chandramukhi | Tamil | ||
| 2005 | Aakash | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Swamy | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Deadly Soma | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Siddu | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Sye | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Aadi | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Amrutadhare | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | News | Kannada | ||
| 2005 | Green Signal | Kannada | ||
| 2006 | Poi | Tamil | ||
| 2006 | Gandugali Kumararama | Kannada | ||
| 2006 | Paramasivan | Tamil | ||
| 2006 | Vattaram | Tamil | ||
| 2006 | Cyanide | Kannada | ||
| 2006 | Kuppi | Tamil | ||
| 2006 | Sirivantha | Kannada | ||
| 2006 | Chellata | Kannada | ||
| 2007 | Gunavantha | Kannada | ||
| 2008 | Bombaat | Kannada | ||
| 2009 | kabaddi | kannada | ||
| 2009 | Bellary Naga | Kannada | ||
| 2009 | Kavalar Kudiyiruppu | Tamil | ||
| 2010 | School Master | Kannada | ||
| 2010 | Porki | Kannada | ||
| 2010 | Siddhu +2 | Tamil | ||
| 2010 | Aptharakshaka | Ramachandra Shastri | Kannada | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada |
| 2010 | Nagavalli | Telugu | ||
| 2010 | Prithvi | Narasimha Nayak | Kannada | |
| 2011 | Siruthai | Tamil | ||
| Doubles | Malayalam | |||
| Karthik | Kannada | |||
| 7aam Arivu | Tamil | |||
| 5ters: Castle of Dark Master | Hindi | |||
| Hudugaru | Kannada | |||
| Paramathma | Kannada | |||
| 2012 | Shakti | Kannada | ||
| Anna Bond | Kannada | |||
| Romeo | Kannada | |||
| Rajapattai | Tamil | |||
| Damarukam | Telugu | |||
| 2013 | Sandalwood Sa Re Ga Ma | Kannada | ||
| Udhayam NH4 | Tamil | |||
| CID Eesha | Kannada | |||
| Jataayu | Kannada | |||
| Kaddipudi | ACP Vijaya Prasad | Kannada | ||
| Madarangi | Kannada | |||
| 2014 | Angaaraka | Kannada | ||
| Ninnindale | Kannada | |||
| Ugramm | Shivarudra Lingaiah | Kannada | ||
| Shivajinagara | Kannada | |||
| Kalyanamasthu | Kannada | |||
| Ragini IPS | Hiremath | Kannada | ||
| Huchudugaru | Kannada | |||
| Maryade | Kannada | |||
| Veera Pulikeshi | Kannada | |||
| Maanikya | Kannada | |||
| Hara | Kannada | |||
| Jasmine.5 | Kannada | |||
| Aakramana | Kannada | |||
| Power *** | Kannada | |||
| 2015 | Yennai Arindhaal | Tamil | ||
| Sandamarutham | Tamil | |||
| Mr. Airavata | Kannada | |||
| Vedalam | Tamil | |||
| 2016 | Gethu | Tamil | ||
| Khanana | Kannada | |||
| Moondraam Ullaga Por | Tamil | |||
| Kotigobba 2 | Kannada | |||
| 2017 | Rogue | Kannada Telugu |
||
| 2018 | Gultoo | Inspector Avinash | Kannada | |
| Vaasu Naan Pakka Commercial | Kannada |
Other activities
Avinash is the founder member of Sneha Loka, a club to promote sporting activity among the film fraternity. He is also a former member of the executive committee of the Kannada Film Artists Association.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Banking on immense talent". Deccan Herald. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ a b "From reel love to real love". The Times of India. 3 January 2001. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "A taste of Mollywood". The New Indian Express. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/vedam-wins-big-at-filmfare-awards-2011/20110704.htm